LIONS NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION GUIDE
LIONS NEW MEMBERORIENTATION GUIDEAn Introduction to Lions
TABLE OF CONTENTSNew Member Orientation Curriculum.2Who Lions are .2Your Club .3History .3Club Officers .4Traditions .4Elections .4Awards .4Service and Fund Raising Activities .5Membership .5Meetings.6Dues .6Budgets.6Communications .6District and Multiple District .7Organizational Structure .7District Convention .9Communications .9Lions Clubs International.9History .9Origin of the name “Lions”.10Logo .10Organizational Structure .11International Constitution and By-laws .13International Convention.13International Headquarters.13Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF).13Leadership .14Service Activities.15Membership Development.17Communications .18Test Your Lions IQ.19Orientation Checklist .20Orientation Guide 1
New Member Orientation CurriculumWho Lions AreLions are men and women dedicated to serving those in need, in our own community and around theworld. The 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs in over 207 countries are different in manyways, but share a core belief – community is what we make it. In addition to humanitarian service, Lionsenjoy fellowship and develop leadership skills.Vision Statement: To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service.Mission Statement: To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs,encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.Motto: “We Serve.”Slogan: Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s SafetyPurposes:To Organize, charter and supervise service clubs to be known as Lions clubs.To Coordinate the activities and standardize the administration of Lions clubs.To Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.To Promote the principles of good government and good citizenship.To Take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community.To Unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.To Provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, thatpartisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members.To Encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward,and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions,public works and private endeavors.Code of EthicsTo Show my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end that Imay merit a reputation for quality of service.To Seek success and to demand all fair remuneration or profit as my just due, but to accept noprofit or success at the price of my own self-respect lost because of unfair advantage taken orbecause of questionable acts on my part.To Remember that in building up my business it is not necessary to tear down another's; to be loyalto my clients or customers and true to myself.Whenever a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolvesuch doubt against myself.To Hold friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on accountof the service performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but acceptsservice in the spirit in which it is given.Always to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state, and my community, andto give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act, and deed. To give them freely of my time, laborand means.To Aid others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance tothe needy.To Be Careful with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy.2
Your ClubHistoryAs a new member, it is important to be aware of the history of your club in order to feel like you trulybelong. Your orientation trainer will give you the complete history of your club.If you happen to be a charter member of your club, you and your fellow Lions will have a chance to formthe history of your club.Club OfficersThe officers of your club, also known as the board of directors, include the president, immediate pastpresident, vice president(s), secretary, treasurer, Lion tamer (optional; custodian of club property), tailtwister (optional; promotes enthusiasm at meetings), membership development chairperson and others.Officers are elected annually for a term coinciding with the association’s fiscal year (July 1-June 30). Mostwork in Lions clubs is done in committees appointed by the president.Club leadership includes: President: The president serves as the club’s chief executive officer and presides at all meetings ofthe club and the board of directors. The president issues the call for regular and special meetingsin accordance with the club’s by-laws or procedures, plans the agenda and ensures that the statusof each committee activity is reported. It is also the responsibility of the president to see thatregular elections are duly called, noticed and held. The president cooperates with, and is an activemember of, the district governor’s advisory committee of the zone in which the club is located. Immediate Past President: The immediate past president assists and gives guidance to the currentclub president as needed. Vice President(s): In the event that the president should be unable to perform the duties of officefor any reason, the vice president next in rank occupies the position and performs the duties withthe same authority as the president. Each vice president, under the direction of the president,oversees the functioning of various committees of the club. Secretary: Under the supervision and direction of the president and board of directors, thesecretary acts as a liaison officer between the club and both the district and InternationalHeadquarters. Responsibilities of the secretary include submitting reports, maintaining clubrecords and issuing financial statements to club members. Treasurer: The treasurer is responsible for all club financial matters. Duties include receiving allmoney from the secretary and paying club obligations, maintaining financial records, preparingfinancial statements and submitting financial reports. Lion Tamer: The Lion Tamer is an optional officer and is responsible for club property (such asflags, banners, gavels, etc.). The Lion Tamer also keeps order at meetings and distributes materialsat meetings. Tail Twister: The Tail Twister is optional and serves to promote harmony, good fellowship andenthusiasm at club meetings through the judicious imposition of “fines” on members. The TailTwister may not be fined except by the unanimous vote of all members present. Any fundscollected by the Tail Twister are immediately turned over to the treasurer. Membership Chairperson: The membership chairperson serves on the membership committee.Responsibilities of the membership chairperson include development of membership growthprograms, implementation of recruitment and retention programs and preparation of orientationsessions.Orientation Guide 3
Committees: In many clubs, every member serves on a committee. Your committee assignment is animportant part of your membership and deserves your best effort. Administrative committees mayinclude attendance, constitution and by-laws, convention, finance, Lions information, membership,programs, public relations, greeting and leadership development. Activity committees generally conformto the major Lion activities. Club projects and activities are originated and led by club committees underthe direction of a committee chairperson. The president generally appoints the chairperson andcommittee members after consulting with the members. The chairperson of each committee should callperiodic meetings of their members, and may be asked to attend board meetings to report their progressto the officers and directors.TraditionsYour club may participate in traditions such as singing the Lions song or wearing the yellow vest. Yourorientation trainer will explain the traditions your club participates in.ElectionsAll officers of the club are elected annually for a term beginning on July 1. Beginning around March, theclub president appoints a nominating committee to discuss and select candidates for the various club officesto be voted upon by the club in April.AwardsLions believe that service is its own reward, but special accomplishments and milestones should berecognized and celebrated. You may think that awards and recognition are a long way off, but as a newLion, you can aspire to some awards almost immediately. Awards are presented for inviting new members tojoin a Lions club and for helping to form a new club, both of which you are eligible to do as soon as youbecome a Lion.Other awards are presented for longevity of membership, outstanding service activities, public relationsinitiatives and leadership excellence.Awards available to members at the club level for service activity and membership initiatives include: Membership Keys: Membership Key Awards acknowledge the importance of effective recruitmentin membership growth by recognizing the number of new members a Lion has sponsored oncethey have been members for a year and a day. 100% Perfect Attendance: Members who maintain perfect attendance during a fiscal year mayreceive the 100% Perfect Attendance Award. Chevrons: Lions Clubs International recognizes the anniversaries of our members with ChevronAwards. Chevron Awards are issued starting at 10 years of service and given in five yearincrements. Year-Round Growth Program: The Year-Round Growth Program recognizes Lions and theirrespective club for member invitation successes during a given fiscal year. Each Lion who sponsorsa new member is eligible to receive a certificate of sponsorship from the international president.Additionally, Lions who sponsor three or more members during a given fiscal year will receive theYear-Round Growth Membership Excellence Lapel Pin. President’s Retention Campaign: The President's Retention Campaign is built for club presidentsto help keep members interested and engaged. Clubs are rewarded for their retention success withthe President's Retention Campaign Banner Patch. Extension Awards: Extension Awards are presented to the two Lions, who, in the opinion of theserving district governor, provided the greatest assistance in the organization of a new Lions club.Lions nominated for an Extension Award receive a medallion for each of the first five clubs4
chartered, and greater awards for chartering 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100 and 150 clubs.Any Lion may receive the award, including transfer charter members, with the exception of thedistrict governor, new charter members and international representatives. Extension Awards arepresented after the club has been chartered for a year and a day and is in good standing.Many clubs also have their own award programs to recognize the outstanding achievements of theirmembers. Additionally, club leaders are eligible for a variety of awards to acknowledge superior efforts,such as the Club President Excellence Award. There are many awards your club can receive, but the mostimportant is the Club Excellence Award. Clubs that excel in community service, membership growth,communication and organizational management may qualify for the prestigious Excellence Award. Clubsreceive a distinguished banner patch to proudly display on their banner and the club president receives aClub Excellence Pin to proudly recognize his or her outstanding leadership.Service and Fundraising ActivitiesMany clubs have signature projects they participate in every year. Your orientation trainer will tell youabout the projects your club participates in and how you can help.MembershipMembership in a Lions club provides people with the opportunity to meet and work with other individualsin a spirit of fellowship, striving toward the common goal of helping those in need. Through your mutualconcern for others, members can improve both local and global communities while developing valuablepersonal and professional skills. New members are expected to give freely of their time and energy wheneverpossible, attend club meetings, be available for committee assignments, be knowledgeable about the aimsand objectives of Lions and support club officers.The benefits of Lions clubs membership are numerous, and include: Helping those in need Making a difference in your community Having an impact on those in need worldwide Developing leadership skills Enhancing communication skills Utilizing planning and organization skills Working hands-on to meet community needs Meeting new people – from your community and abroad Opportunities to network Opportunities to travelThere are several categories of Lions club membership, including: Active: A member entitled to all rights and privileges and subject to all obligations whichmembership in a Lions club implies. Member-at-Large: A member who has moved out of the community and is unable to regularlyattend meetings and desires to retain membership in the club. This member cannot hold office orvote at conventions and must pay dues. Honorary: An honor bestowed by a club to an individual who is not a member of the Lions clubto recognize outstanding community service or service to the club. The club pays the entrance feeand international dues, however the member does not have any privileges of active membership. Privileged: A member who has been a Lion for 15 or more years, who because of illness,infirmities or advanced age or other legitimate reason, must relinquish his or her active status. Aprivileged member may vote, but may not hold office.Orientation Guide 5
Life Member: A member who has maintained active status for 20 or more years, or for 15 yearsand is at least 70 years of age can be granted life membership. The members’ Lions club, in lieu offuture dues, pays a one-time payment to the association. Life members have all the rights andprivileges of membership. Associate: A member who holds his/her primary membership in another club, but maintainsresidence or is employed in the community of the club served by this club. Associate members canvote on club matters, but may not serve as a club delegate at district, multiple district orinternational conventions, and are not eligible to hold office. Affiliate: An individual who is currently unable to fully participate in the club, but wishes tosupport the club. Affiliate members pay dues and may vote on club matters, but may not holdoffice or represent the club at district, multiple district or international conventions.Members cannot simultaneously hold membership – other than Honorary or Associate – in more than oneLions club.To ensure continuity in the club’s membership efforts, your club may choose to implement what is referredto as the three-person membership committee. The committee is composed of three elected members (achairperson, vice chairperson and a member) serving a three-year term on a rotating basis. After the firstyear, only the membership chairperson moves off the committee. The vice chairperson moves up to becomethe membership chairperson and the remaining committee member becomes the vice chairperson. A newLion is elected to fill the vacancy. This system allows the committee members to gain experience andprovides the club with continuity in its crucial membership-related activities.MeetingsLions Clubs International recommends that clubs meet regularly and at least twice each month. All activemembers are encouraged to attend meetings regularly. Members who maintain perfect attendance during thefiscal year may be given an annual 100% Perfect Attendance Award. If a member misses a
Orientation Guide 3 Your Club History As a new member, it is important to be aware of the history of your club in order to feel like you truly belong. Your orientation trainer will give you the complete history of your club. If you happen to be a charter member of your club, you and your fellow Lions will have a chance to form the history of .
The Lions New Member Orientation Guide (ME-13a), should be used in conjunction with the Basic Men - toring Program Guide to ensure the new member successfully completes both programs. Successful Orientation Successful new member orientation does more than inform the member, it inspires and motivates them to be the best Lion they can be.
New Member Orientation Guide: The New Member Orientation Guide will be very similar to the New Member Orientation Trainer Guide, excluding instructions on how to c onduct orientation and tips for the orientation trainer. New Member Induction Kit: This kit could be something you order from
New Member Orientation Guide (ME-13a): The New Member Orientation Guide is very similar to the New Member Orientation Trainer Guide, excluding the instructions on how to conduct orientation and tips for the orientation trainer. Order a copy from the Membership Division (membership@lionsclubs.org) or .
Lions Mints : Our Lions mints one of our club members’ work place and have steady sales. Lions mints are all 60c per roll. If you would like to put some mints in your workplace just let us know and we can arrange a dis
Lions Mints newsletter Lions District 201Q1 December Newsletter ALF Newsletter Black Dog Ride newsletter Cab Sec. Passing of Lion Jack Rosa of Capalaba lions Cab sec. Passing of Lion John Shirley of Kyogle Lions Interest in joining our Club from Sumi Pillarisetti from W
Magnolia Lion Lions of Mississippi/Lions Sight Foundation State Convention 1 As I See It 2 Hall of Fame 3 District 30-M News 4&5 District 30-S News 6 15 Guns in 15 Days 7 Thank you 8 Inside this issue: Convention Review White ane Funds: MS Lions Eye ank Hearing and Deaf Deaf amp
District 20Y2 District Governor John McDonald’s pin Fellow Lions, Leos and Lioness’s, Throughout our Lions year our District Team has taken the opportunity whenever possible to educate and inform our members about the many ways that we as Lions can serve our communities. We have a couple of events coming
INTRODUCTION The Discipline and Practice of Qualitative Research Norman K. Denzin and Yvonna S. Lincoln T he global community of qualitative researchers is mid-way between two extremes, searching for a new middle, moving in several different directions at the same time.1 Mixed methodologies and calls for scientifically based research, on the one side, renewed calls for social justice inquiry .
